Hello:
First off... you don't become a travel agent just to save yourself a buck or two. You will save nothing on the airline tickets you purchase, airlines stopped paying commissions years ago. Many agents charge a service fee to book air travel to make up for loss of commissions in that area. You won't make much of an income booking car rentals, trains and limo rides.
A travel agent that is out there to save money on their own travel is not the type of agent you want to work with!
Their are travel agent programs you can take and then try and get a job at an agency or you can sign-up for a host agency and learn from a mentor and take online training. I have been an agent for under 6 months and learning every day. The cruise lines have some great training and the CLIA, hotels and resorts. Don't be an agent simply to save yourself money, that really won't save you anything and you will only weaken the industry.
I travel, I enjoy helping people find the right vacation and I help "them" save money... and I don't charge service fees!
Last week I received a picture and a postcard from two families I helped find a great cruises,,, what a nice feeling to know they had a great time!
Anyone thinking of getting into the business to save on personal travel should really forget about it.
Jerry
Quote:
Originally Posted by knc  I buy around 15 - 20 domestic & international airline tickets each year. I also purchase hotel rooms, rental cars, airport limo rides, and occasionally train & bus tickets too.
I want to know if becoming a travel agent would save me money on my own travel. But first, I guess I need to find out how one becomes a travel agent.
Are travel agents licensed or certified? Must you pass an exam to become one? Is it simply a matter of paying a fee, no questions asked?
How large a discount do travel agents receive? Is income based on commissions from sales?
Short of working at a travel agency, how do people become travel agents?
Thanks all! |